Award winners save Air Force $26.5 million

  • Published
  • By Richard Salomon
  • Air Force Manpower Agency Public Affairs
Six individuals who saved the Air Force $26.5 million were recognized April 5 at the Pentagon.  Four individuals won Air Force Productivity Excellence Awards and two won Air Force Exceptional Innovator Awards.

Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, presented plaques to the winners for their money-saving improvements to the Air Force.

The Air Force Productivity Excellence Award recognizes individual Airmen and small groups who have made substantial improvements in productivity. These improvements come as ideas through the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program, special acts and other management initiatives.

The 2006 winners include one group and one individual. The group members are Lt. Col. Dale Parsons from the 717th Test Squadron at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., Maj. John Dunlap from the 340th Weapons Squadron at Barksdale AFB, La., and Lt. Col. Mark Lane from the 609th Combat Plans Squadron at Shaw AFB, S.C.

While deployed, this team recognized the inefficiency of flying 14-hour, round-trip missions from a forward-deployed location to the combat zone, so they created and executed a plan to relocate a squadron of B-1B Lancers and KC-135 Stratotankers from the forward-deployed location to air bases in Southwest Asia. This team tackled a wide range of political and operational issues and was able to carry out the entire plan during a single air expeditionary force rotation. Their efforts saved $362,000 a day in flying costs.

"It's an amazing testimony to those around us who were able to do this in such a short time," Major Dunlap said. "Although significant, this was just one of many examples of Air Force folks seeking more efficient ways to do things in the (area of responsibility)."

The other productivity excellence award winner is Jay Ostler Jr. from the 730th Aircraft Sustainment Support Squadron at Robins AFB, Ga. His recommendations led to the removal of the elevator variable feel unit redesign from the C-5 Galaxy's reliability enhancement and re-engineering program. By providing a single solution for C-5 configurations, he reduced safety risks and alleviated support and reliability problems.

"It's rewarding to know that what we are doing here is benefiting the Air Force as a whole," Mr. Ostler said.

His initiative saved the Air Force $8.75 million in tangible savings.

The 2006 winners of the Air Force Exceptional Innovator Award are Terry Walker and Emory Pruitt from Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins AFB. This award recognizes an Air Force member or group who contributed to continual performance improvement through the IDEA program.

The Robins AFB duo developed a new procedure to prevent cracking and chipping of the chromium plate used on C-130 Hercules barrel propellers.

"The cracked plates required us to continually purchase new barrel stub arms. It got rather expensive," Mr. Walker said.

The new process refined the sleeve installation and alignment tools required to set up the barrel stub arms for machining. Those arms are now repaired to accommodate a locally manufactured sleeve, which saves time and money. The idea saves the Air Force $1.1 million a year in replacement costs.

"It is indeed a privilege to honor all our nominees who, through their ingenuity and skill, have found new and better ways to do their jobs," General Brady said. "Their extraordinary efforts have contributed immeasurably to Air Force operations and are ensuring our dominance in the years ahead."

For award information and eligibility requirements, visit https://www.afma.randolph.af.mil/ and click on "Air Force Awards" under the Performance Management Section.

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